Return Path Operations
Course Overview
The return path in today’s broadband cable network is integral to the successful and reliable operation of cable modems, video-on-demand (VOD), telephony, and other revenue sources. NCTI’s Return Path Operations course introduces the basic concepts of return path functions, and outlines procedures for testing, repairing, and maintaining a viable return path. The course provides details on how ingress, noise, system alignment, optical operations, and installation of equipment at the customer premises can jeopardize return path performance. It then guides the student with instructions on how to mitigate related problems that can occur inside and outside the customer premises, and in the outside network back to the headend over coaxial and fiber-optic cable. Any technician that works in these functional areas of the network will find valuable answers to questions about the return path that they may have been hesitant to ask.
- Price: $535.00
- Seat time: 12h
- Course number: eb0322_06_JN
- Dynamic language translation available
- Category: Technical and Safety
The estimated completion time for this course is 12 hours. The maximum allotted time is four months from enrollment.
Course Objectives
describe the return path signal flow and major transmission elements
explain the concept of long-loop automatic gain control (ACG)and how it is used to establish and maintain RF levels from cable modems, embedded multimedia terminal adapters (EMTA), and set-top boxes (STB)
explain the concept of funneling on the return path
discuss procedures for improving overall return path performance, including use of high-pass filters and step attenuators
explain how test equipment for return path alignment measures and reports levels measured in the headend to devices in the field
discuss the differences, advantages and disadvantages of single carrier, multicarrier and return sweep testing
define and discuss upstream transmit level and path attenuation
explain how to measure the amplitude of transient signals and noise measurements on the return path
describe why optimization of the optical portion of the return path is critical to reliable operations of the services that use the return path
explain the concept of long-loop automatic gain control (ACG)and how it is used to establish and maintain RF levels from cable modems, embedded multimedia terminal adapters (EMTA), and set-top boxes (STB)
explain the concept of funneling on the return path
discuss procedures for improving overall return path performance, including use of high-pass filters and step attenuators
explain how test equipment for return path alignment measures and reports levels measured in the headend to devices in the field
discuss the differences, advantages and disadvantages of single carrier, multicarrier and return sweep testing
define and discuss upstream transmit level and path attenuation
explain how to measure the amplitude of transient signals and noise measurements on the return path
describe why optimization of the optical portion of the return path is critical to reliable operations of the services that use the return path
Course Benefits
receive credit towards NCTI Master Technician certification
receive an industry recognized NCTI certificate of graduation
use this course to help prepare for SCTE’s Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS) and Broadband Transportation Specialist (BTS) certifications
receive an industry recognized NCTI certificate of graduation
use this course to help prepare for SCTE’s Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS) and Broadband Transportation Specialist (BTS) certifications
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